A/N: HERE IS THE LONGER CHAPTER. HOPE YOU LIKE IT. THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS, KEEP 'EM COMING. I WILL NEVER OWN THEM, BUT I WOULDN'T MIND RENTING THEM.
CHAPTER 29: CHANGE OF HEART
The next day was Woody's day at the morgue. He had brought the files of his open cases home with him from the station, because he didn't want to have to go back there. Jordan came by Max's that morning to pick Woody up. The drive to the morgue was painfully quiet, in fact Woody had been quiet all night. Max told Jordan that Woody went to bed as soon as he came home from therapy, not mentioning his day at all, and not taking any phone calls. The silence and suspense was driving Jordan crazy. "You didn't call me at work last night. So how was your first day back?", she asked brightly. "Fine.", Woody mumbled. "That's it, fine?", Jordan replied. "What do you want me to say, Jordan? That it was wonderful having people starring at me, bringing me things I didn't even ask for and constantly asking me if I was alright or if I needed anything.", Woody yelled. "Woody, they just care about …..", she offered, as she parked the car. He cut her off, "No, Jordan it was pity."
As they exited the elevator and entered the lobby, there was a round of applause from his morgue family. There was the same kind of hugs, kisses and well wishes as yesterday, but this felt different. There wasn't the same whispering and starring , Woody felt comfortable, at home. Maybe it was because they were doctors and medical staff, but they all made him feel welcome, able, needed, his wheelchair just didn't matter to them.
Compared to the day before, this day was going by way too fast. Woody and Nigel were looking over the evidence in a murder case. "What do you make of this, Woodrow, Nigel asked pointing to a blot on a photo. "I wouldn't know Nige, I wasn't at the crime scene." Woody replied a little annoyed that he couldn't be in the field. "Can you enlarge the picture, maybe ten times?", Woody asked. "Is the Queen Brittish?", Nigel laughed, and added "Is that some sort of high heel print?" Woody looked closer, "No Nige, that's not a heel print, it's a cane print. A friend of mine, at rehab, had a cane that made a similar mark. I'll call Lois and see if she interviewed anyone who uses a cane. Woody made the call and about an hour later, Lois came to pick up the file. "I've got the arrest warrant, I'm going to pick up the boss. Want to come?", she called out. Woody pointed to himself, confused at first, then answered, "Hell yeah!".
Jordan walked in about fifteen minutes later, "Where's Woody, he has therapy in an hour, she asked her friends. "Um….he's….", Nigel started to say. "He went on an arrest with Lois.", Bug replied, cautiously. "What?", Jordan almost yelled. "C'mon luv, you knew this time would come, he'll be fine.", Nigel comforted her. "Jordan, he needs to do this.", Bug added. "I know guys, I'm just a little worried….I hope he can do it.", she said running out the door.
When Woody and Lois returned to the station with the suspect, they found Jordan leaning against Woody's desk. "I'll get his statement.", Lois said, waiving to Jordan. Jordan smiled and waived back, then stood up straight, with her hands planted firmly on her hips. "And I'll do the paperwork.", Woody chuckled as he called after her. He turned slowly and looked up, "Listen Jordan, I'm sorry I didn't tell you , it all happened so fast. I was just so excited.", he said beaming. "You missed therapy.", she replied, sternly. "I know, I'll make it up……..", he started, but was interrupted. "Yes, you will make it up.……tonight. And you'll have to deal with me as your therapist.", she said, squeezing his shoulders hard. "Great.", Woody said, rolling his eyes. "So, did you have fun?", Jordan asked in a much lighter tone. "A blast.", he answered, taking her hand. "You know, I think maybe I can do this.", Woody said, flashing the first true blue farm boy smile Jordan had seen in a long time.